From now on, a certain group of MS patients can be reimbursed for a stem cell transplant from the basic package, reports the National Institute of Health Care. These are patients with variant RRMS for whom medications do not help. “For these patients, stem cell transplantation is sufficiently proven to be an effective cure,” concludes the Zorginstituut. The decision affects ten to twenty patients a year and takes effect immediately.
Patients have fewer attacks of the disease after stem cell transplantation. Fewer and fewer people are also deteriorating in functioning. “Patients report experiencing a better quality of life,” the institute said on the effect of the therapy.
Central Committee
Although stem cell transplantation can cause serious side effects, including high fever and infections, the Zorginstituut concludes that the beneficial effects of stem cell transplantation for the specific group of patients mentioned sufficiently outweigh the risks. The transplant to be reimbursed is performed in two hospitals, in the UMC in Amsterdam and in the St. Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein. There will be a central committee that will determine if a patient is eligible. (AP)
